Glorying in small victories

[Noreen Claire]

DS7 just wrote a four word dictation. Willingly. And spelled 'slice' correctly, to boot!

Last year, this kid refused to do *any* school work. Flat out refused to learn to read. Would not pick up a pencil to write anything, no matter the bribe or the consequence. So many days were spent fighting and so very little learning happened. This year, he's willingly coming to the couch to work with me most days. He's moving steadily through phonics and, while still a slow reader, is starting to choose to read on his own. He will physically write a page of handwriting or math without much fuss (though I still scribe about half his work). He's blowing through his math books. He looks forward to grammar and narration. He even read and completed the entire page of his MindBenders book all on his own today!

Many days are still a frustrating slog, with four different learners and personalities, so I'm glorying in these small victories today.

Have you had any small victories lately?

[Katy]

That’s wonderful. I have a friend that used to direct a preschool who will go on at length about her belief that it’s inappropriate to expect boys in particular to sit still at a desk much of the day.  She doesn’t believe formal academics are appropriate until age 7 unless kids ask for them. She says kids should be playing in forests and jumping off big rocks. 
 

DS4 has been my biggest challenge for more than a year.  In the past two weeks he’s really turned a corner. His screaming is largely resolved.  He’s using words when frustrated. When plans get derailed because of weather or DH’s work he’s flexible and excited about planning when we can do it instead rather than having a high pitched screaming meltdown. It’s a huge positive change.